Iron Ether
Polytope
user's manual
Create massive, multi-faceted and shimmering sounds
with the Polytope four-voice detuner. The Polytope
creates up to four copies of the input signal which can
be detuned in pitch from subtle thickening to huge
multi-voice detuned synth sounds. The detuned voices
maintain the timbre of the input and respond well to
polyphonic signals. In addition to the static detune
mode, the included LFO (low frequency oscillator)
can be used to sweep the pitches of all four voices to
create wide and deep chorus ensembles when com-
bined with the clean signal.
Removing the clean signal allows for true pitch vibrato,
from slight wavering to tape-style wow and flutter,
slow seasick wobbles and high speed FM synth-style
modulation. A highpass filter allows the user to apply
the detuning only to high frequencies. The controls are
extremely wide-ranging, covering classic sounds and
extending into spaced-out madness.
Voice vol – Controls the volume of the detuned voices.
Speed – In modulation mode, this controls the speed
of the LFO which sweeps the pitch up and down.
Ranges from very slow, one cycle over many seconds,
up to low audio frequencies.
Mode – This switch chooses between static Detuner
mode or Modulation mode, which applies the LFO to
the detune amount.
Quick Start/A Tour of Sounds
Begin with Clean and Voice volumes centered, all other
knobs all the way down (counter-clockwise), with both
switches set to the left.
Slowly begin turning up Detune as you play at each stop
along the dial. In this smaller range, the max amount
of detuning is less than one semitone. Now begin add-
ing additional voices by turning up the Voices control.
Each additional voice will be gradually turned up in the
mix, so you can continuously control the level of each
new voice. Increase this all the way clockwise to hear
the full ensemble sound of 4 detuned voices plus your
original signal.
Leaving the other controls where they are, turn the
Filter knob up to increasingly cut bass from the de-
tuned signal. Note that the clean signal is not filtered
and will allow full bass through even with the Filter
knob up.
Switch the Mode over to M for modulation. The pitch
will now begin sweeping up and down at a very slow
rate, as the Speed knob is all the way down.
Detune
Filter
Voices
Clean Voices Vol
Range
Mode
Settings templates
use these blank templates to write down
your favorite settings
Speed
<
>
D
M
I
II
III
IV
Detune
Filter
Voices
Clean Voices Vol
Range
Mode
Speed
<
>
D
M
I
II
III
IV
Detune
Filter
Voices
Clean Voices Vol
Range
Mode
Speed
<
>
D
M
I
II
III
IV
Detune
Filter
Voices
Clean Voices Vol
Range
Mode
Speed
<
>
D
M
I
II
III
IV
